On the stability of Pu(III) at different pH under non-inert conditions

Abstract

A glove-box in contact with the lab atmosphere has been used in a test to see whether trivalent plutonium can be kept in this oxidation state at different pH. The box hosted a vessel of Pu(III) solution through which a hydrogen/argon gas mix was bubbled in the presence of a Pd/Pt catalyst. The results of solvent extractions and UV-Vis spectra for this system show that such conditions should not be considered sufficient to keep plutonium trivalent at a pH above two. The solvent extraction method was not found to affect the oxidation state composition of the samples.